Liverpool back on top

Afp, London
11 February, 2019 12:00 AM

Liverpool returned to winning ways and the top of the Premier League table while Manchester United climbed into fourth place on Saturday as English football paid tribute to the late Emiliano Sala.

First-half goals from Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum together with Mohamed Salah’s 48th-minute effort saw Liverpool to a 3-0 win over Bournemouth at Anfield. Victory meant Liverpool, who had been second on goal difference, leapfrogged Manchester City by three points.

Meanwhile United’s revival under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continued with an equally comfortable 3-0 win away to Fulham. Liverpool had dropped points in successive draws against Leicester and West Ham, sparking suggestions they were losing their nerve in a quest to end the club’s 29-year wait to be crowned champions of England once again.

Mane, however, eased the pressure with an early headed goal at Anfield.

In London, Paul Pogba scored two goals — including a second-half penalty — either side of an Anthony Martial strike as United made it 10 wins in 11 game since former striker Solskjaer was put in temporary command.

Chelsea could regain a spot among the Champions League qualifying places against Manchester City. But United, 11 points adrift of the top four when Jose Mourinho was sacked in December, are back in the hunt now.

“There are so many games left, but we hope to stay in the top four,” said Solskjaer.